The family of EF-hand type Ca2+-binding proteins includes Calbindin (previously designated vitamin D-dependent Ca2+-binding protein), S-100 α and β, Cal-granulins A (also designated MRP8), B (also designated MRP14) and C (S-100 like proteins) and the parvalbumin family members, including parvalbumin α and parvalbumin β (also designated oncomodulin). Calbindin, S-100 proteins and parvalbumin proteins are each expressed in neural tissues. In addition, S-100 α and β are present in a variety of other tissues and Calbindin is present in intestine and kidney. Parvalbumin α is also found in fast-contracting/ relaxing skeletal muscle fibers and parvalbumin β is found in many tumor tissues as well as in the organ of Corti. Calbindin, S-100 proteins and parvalbulmins have all been detected in Leydig cells and the testis. These proteins are thought to play a role in hormone production and spermatogenesis. Calgranulin is expressed in macrophages and epithelial cells.
